RE: Free Form RPG Opinions Wanted -- RPG400-L

My vote is to jump in and go for it.  It's 2003.  /free-form is more readable, 
you can indent, you don't waste half a line of code just getting to the eval.  
also my standard answer 'it looks cool'.  <vbg>


-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Vidal [mailto:Peter_Vidal@xxxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2003 8:43 AM
To: RPG programming on the AS400 / iSeries
Subject: Re: Free Form RPG Opinions Wanted



I also agree that this is new stuff and we can use it; however, I also will be
aware of program maintenance, analysis and/or source editing issues, for
example.  I agree 100% with Mr. Buck Calabro and Mr. Robert Cozzi comments on
these regards.

Buck said:
"a) Previous release support.  If one needs to support earlier
   release systems, /free is not for you.
b) Analysis tools.  If one's tool vendor (you?) doesn't yet
   support /free, I might consider waiting until they do.
c) Editing tools.  /free and SEU are not the happiest of
   friends.  A PC based editor is much nicer to work with
   because of intelligent indenting.  I have used WDSc
   from IBM, FlexEdit (now from Aldon?), Cozzi's Code Studio,
   Brief and VEdit and prefer any of them to SEU."

Bob said:
"I believe most people will avoid using this new syntax for two important
reasons:

1. It is not backwards compatible with prior releases of OS/400. Consequently
software houses will not use, probably, until OS/400 Version 6 is released in 3
or 4 years.
2. An additional skill set is required to maintain /FREE code. If I am an IT
Manager, do I want RPG IV with fixed format, RPG IV with EVALs and expressions,
or do I want RPG IV with /FREE source code embedded in my systems?


I find management resistance to RPG IV Procedures to be medium to high.  I doubt
they will support utilizing /FREE for maintaining applications or new code,
particularly since there is no new function in /FREE, just alternative syntax. "


I am not an expert though but our IT Group will evaluate these new approach that
is available to all of us.  As a matter of fact, we will be upgrading to V5R2 by
middle May and we will be familiarized with the syntax.  So far, we have not
decided if we want this to be part of our standards.


Obviously, this is IMHO.
Peter Vidal
Pall Aeropower Corp.
SR Programmer Analyst
WWW.Pall.com / 727-539-8448, x2414

"A good player makes himself look good;
a great player makes the team look good."
Author unknown


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